LS Wild Armory 6 PRC barrel/rifle project

[Ryan Avery]

Now that the first barrel preorder has arrived and our FFL is arriving soon, I am thinking about the next big project. (I am the idea guy and my partner is the production guy, so don’t worry about getting barrels that are already here.)

I have been talking with @NSI about the perfect 6 PRC in a short action. I started running the 7SS as my hunting rifle, then stepped down to the 25SST, and now the 6 PRC is the next evolution for me in smaller effective short mag caliber. I still love my 7 and 25 though.

For the 6 PRC, we have come up with the proven reamer specs that make it problem free. @huntnful has helped confirm the specs after he’s run half a dozen barrels and tested loads. He has contributed to the 6 PRC threads and shown it is viable and easy with no specialized dies or brass.

It will have .180 freebore, which is proven for your choice of the 108-112 class of killer bullets from multiple manufacturers. That throat is the Goldilocks zone, optimized for velocity over the BC of the 115. We’ve run the numbers and it makes sense. Velocity trumps BC inside 600–the highly effective killing zone. And, doesn’t really start to fall behind until later. It’s also a little easier on barrels.

The neck will be sized for Lapua brass, which has the thickest necks. Other brass will work just fine, because the specs are tighter than many SAAMI specs. It helps with precision to have the neck as small as possible for the neck to properly release the bullet and held it concentric to the bore.

Commonly available dies are Redding Type S or the SAC 6.5 PRC sizing/bushing dies. Sizing the necks can be done in one pass on 6.5 PRC brass with .271 bushings with Lapua brass. The 6.5 seater die works without modification, but you can swap seater stems if you like.

@huntnful reported over 3200 with the 108s in a 24” barrel. That gives appreciable gains over a 6 Creedmoor. You can either get more speed with the same length barrel or the same speed with a shorter barrel.

With this 6 PRC built in the Goldilocks zone, you have more bullet choice/availability, with a tiny bit better barrel life over the 6 UM. Performance is indistinguishable in 99% of hunting situations than if you went as hot as possible. As above, we want to make this the easy button, so you can also use common off the shelf 6.5 PRC tooling and components. Just neck down 6.5 PRC brass.

Eventually, the plan is to first add ammo, and second add headstamped brass. I think we are calling it the 6 PRC-NSI, but we’ll sort that out to build barrels that will eventually match the headstamped brass.

I have a single 19” 6 PRC barrel on order. I already have the Tikka action, with dies, multiple brands of brass, bullets and powders cause I can’t wait...

I will soon be doing a 6 PRC barrel group buy, including a Tikka barreled action option-which means you get a new Tikka in 6 PRC ready to go.

I am working on setting up a link for a waitlist/notification page to manage interest and provide notifications. Until then, you can PM me here, but put 6 PRC waitlist in the subject.

Thoughts?

The 6UM is the way, the truth, and the light. BUT.. I am all for bigger 6mm. It might convince the bullet overlords that we need a 120 TMK.

 

[hereinaz]

The 6UM is the way, the truth, and the light. BUT.. I am all for bigger 6mm. It might convince the bullet overlords that we need a 120 TMK.

Preach it! If shooters want performance, the 6 UM is undoubtedly the highest and holiest!
Holy smokes! A 120 TMK would be the “chef’s kiss” for the 6 UM!!!

I’ll throw this out for the record, lest there be a question. I am pro 6 UM. When I burn my 25 SST barrels, at least one will become a 6 UM and I hope there are 120s. If not, I will buy the NR DTACS or maybe the Berger 115s cause I have had great luck killing with Bergers.

I sometimes can’t believe how much people complain about fireforming and such. I have been doing it on the 7 SS for years from 30 degree to 40. The first 100 rounds are for barrel break in anyhow, but even then fireforming loads were still matching 7 rem mag loads. If you reload, there should be no complaints. If you don’t, the ammo you sell is a bargain— even reloaders are paying more per round if you actually count the cost of all the crap we buy and time we spend.

You guys are making it easy. After all we spend to go hunt, as a whole it’s funny that the tendency to cheap out comes at ammo cost or barrel life. Just don’t buy the newest jacket, pants, or bipod and you are golden.

I definitely hope the 6 mm heavies get more love. I loved shooting the 115s out of my 6 xc back in the day. I remember when Tubbs was hunting baboons with them. That converted me to “match bullets”.

Ultimately, the 6 PRC will be the gateway drug for those who want to go big but aren’t sure yet. They will get hooked and want all the performance. Especially once you guys have more history with support for the ecosystem and ADG starts spitting out brass.

I haven’t really seen many put together the whole package of what you have for the 6 UM. I am definitely pro 6 UM.

 

[MuleyFever]

@hereinaz you said you planned on going to the field day in CO next month. Any chance you bring a 6 PRC?

 

[hereinaz]

@hereinaz you said you planned on going to the field day in CO next month. Any chance you bring a 6 PRC?

I am going to make it to the field day, won’t have a 6 PRC.

Barrel is still probably a couple weeks out at the earliest.

 

[Steelbanger78]

Im definitely very interested in this project and will reach out!

 

[Schmo]

A 120 TMK would be “the bullet”. How can we get Sierra on board?

 

[Titanmoose]

Yes, I would start with Origin/Solus prefits. I like the Solus for the 70 degree bolt throw.

Why don’t you start with a 22 creed, I already have some barrels!!!

I love the solus idea, as someone who has a 18"C6 6.5 prc barrel on. a 16 inch 6 PRC sounds fun